–Several Colts, including wide receiver T.Y. Hilton, were quite candid about how Jacksonville’s issues don’t concern them. “It means nothing to us, we just got to go out there and play,” Hilton said. “We know they are going to come out there and they’re going to bring it. It’s a division game, so for us we got to go out there and try to take the crowd out of the game.”
–While quarterback Andrew Luck is regarded as a top candidate for NFL Comeback Player of the Year after missing 2017 due to shoulder surgery, head coach Frank Reich thinks his quarterback is worthy of MVP consideration. “Yeah, absolutely,” Reich said. “The string of games he’s put together, playing at a high level, doing everything that you would think an MVP player would do, helping win the kind of games we’ve won and just the level of consistency week in and week out.”
–The Colts have resisted the temptation to use tight end Eric Ebron more because they want to keep him fresh. And that’s paid dividends with continual big plays, including 11 TD receptions that’s tied for the league lead. Reich was asked if Ebron will need to play more with tight end Jack Doyle lost for the season due to a kidney injury.
“We’ve been very intentional about trying to get him in a rep count that we feel like has worked for him,” Reich said. “It will probably be somewhat increased because of Jack. … It will literally be play by play, seeing who’s up, and where can we get Eric off the field and give him a break so he’s not getting too much work.”
–Reich gave a positive update on Doyle’s recovery from a procedure while in the hospital. “He did get released, and is doing well,” Reich said of the 2017 Pro Bowl tight end leaving the hospital. “(I’ve) been in contact with him, and I’m encouraged by the results of the procedure and wishing him the best.”
–Rookie weak-side linebacker Darius Leonard insists the Colts won’t let down their guard with Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette being absent due to a one-game suspension. “I’m not looking at it saying that Leonard Fournette is not playing so my job is going to be easier,” Leonard said. “I’m not going to say that. I’m going to play the exact same way. I’m still going to be play as hard and try to be the best out there. Everybody is good in the NFL.” Leonard’s league-leading 114 tackles are 17 more than the next players.
–Luck commended the play of backup center Evan Boehm, who started for injured Ryan Kelly in the Colts’ 27-24 home win over Miami. “Evan did a heck of a job,” Luck said. “He really did a nice job. You don’t put up points, you don’t sustain drives without having a center that’s taking command, especially when it gets tough at the end of the game. He really stepped up. I was proud of him and proud of all of those guys.” The Colts rallied from a 10-point, fourth-quarter deficit.
–Consider Luck the consummate perfectionist. He’s having the best season of his seven-year career, but quickly shifts any question about his stellar play to what he needs to improve upon. “I certainly don’t feel like I’m perfect in this offense, by any means, in the sense that I don’t understand it 100 percent,” Luck said. “There’s always little things that you’ve got to work on. That’s the approach that we’ve taken and that’s the approach that we’ll keep. We’ll keep working to try and achieve perfection.”
BY THE NUMBERS: 102.7 – Passer rating for Luck, the best of his seven-year career. His previous best was 96.5 in 2014. He ranks eighth among regular NFL starters although he’s third in pass attempts at 437. In five consecutive wins, he’s had a pass completion percentage of 70 or better and passer rating above 100. The seventh-year pro is tied with Peyton Manning for the second-longest NFL streak with at least three touchdown passes in eight consecutive games. His 32 TD passes rank second in the league.
